English Dub Review: The Dawn of The Witch: “I Decide Who’s Worthy”; “Knowledge of Ignorance”

Overview: Saybil (Travis Mullenix), Hort (Kimmie Britt) and Kudo (Joe Cucinotti) continue their training with tests and/or lessons that challenge them from Zero (Amanda Lee) and Professor Lo (Monica Rial).  

Our Take: The tantalizing nature of power is the proposed to Sayb in exchange for him betraying Lo but, obviously, to no avail with the character building up to this point, which has been surprisingly well-executed for one episode increments. With Saybil valiantly staying by the professor’s side he passes the surprise test. In a shocking twist, the town under a witch’s rule was an elaborate ruse orchestrated by the Zero, legendary witch and author of the grimoire of Zero, along with Mercenary, Priest and the rest of the village. Subtle details that Lo pointed completely out went over my head and were nice allusions to the impending turn of events. Of course, Kudo and Hort also passed the test, although they had proved their loyalty long ago, guaranteeing their acceptance. Their chemistry with the true people Zero, Mercenary and Priest actually are in enjoying a lighthearted celebratory feast. Eventually, it is time to get down to brass tax with the trio having their first assignment in running their own store.

Delivering a message giving the trio full authority to use magic, Kudo gets a chance to meet his hero, Heath. It is a briefly endearing scene, with the knight offering his recognition to Kudo, based on his mission to deliver the letters and what little he knows about the beastfallen student. There is a sweet group scene with the gang rejoicing over Lo deciding to stay in the village, despite her having access to Zero and her extensive library, as she coyly wants to stay for them overall in seeing how they will develop. 

Lo also suspects Zero of wanting Saybil for her magic deficit that is eating away at her that she tries to hide. It is a logical theory for Lo to have considering the skeptic she is as well as wise. However, we get revealed Saybil’s true origins that make his role in the magic world more interesting as well as his relationship to Zero. Zero explains that Saybil’s mother was killed by a witch who wanted his power. She died overloading on his immense magic reserves and Saybil sealed his memories. He didn’t know who he was, blamed himself and was treated horribly. Zero tried to get him expelled so his power would not run amok and put people in harm’s way. Saybil is Zero’s nephew. His father is 13, Zero’s brother, who tried to steal the grimoire that caused a bloodsoaked war all for witches rule.

Saybil, Hort and Kudo begin operating their own unique stores. Saybil, being the potentially bottomless well of magic that he is, runs a magic restoration shop. The adult raunchy humor continues to amaze me with how hilarious it is in Hort euphoric, let us call it, over the affect Saybil’s magic transfer has. Kudo reluctantly enjoying it is also ridiculously shocking and fun. Saybil’s lack of common sense and social cues washing Hort’s dirty underwear makes his naivety an enjoyably refreshing trait. His ignorance of people’s feelings has made for some great emotional scenes culminating in Saybil realizing them but it makes for great humor in Professor Lo trying to explain Hort’s obvious feelings for him with euphemisms going over his head. Sayb is barely getting his feet wet in being an independent human being and has been mostly in support of his friends, being a recluse and not practicing his magic. It is great to see more of Lo’s mature and developed side as a mentor in challenging him to push himself but is sympathetic towards his deep seeded pain that has caused his tendencies.  

Saybil’s venture in the forest, under pretenses of getting tea leaves for Lo, makes for a great moment of tutelage. Saybil getting caught in Liaos’ prank and his conversation with Priest and his demihuman daughter, Lily, who helped Hort in her time of need, teaches him the importance of not remaining ignorant. What really hammers home why it is so important is when Saybil meets with Hort, who accidentally shot Mercenary with one of her spells. After more fanservice in the form of swapping spit and magic with Zero (not complaining though), healing him, Sayb learns of the knowledge and power that comes from second chances and how it relates to his experience with Liaos’ and his immature decision to fool him. 

Besides Lo’s jaw-dropping teasing of Zero for her relationship with Mercenary and his hairy package, she talks about her nephew, Sayb. Saybil’s magic well could run dry, eventually at least, and Zero only taking a small fraction to heal Mercenary shows how thoughtful she is of him and that distressing possibility. It also leads to her acceptance of death overall with no desire to unnecessarily or nefariously prolong her life. Zero’s embracing of the afterlife, if she ages as a result of not replenishing her magic stores, is an impactful scene with Lo as the professor lives forever doing what she can to find excitement and make her life worth living. Elsewhere, Albus is wary of her right hand man, Holdem, and has a grudge against 13. His journey with Tyrant of all people, with unknown intentions regarding Sayb, sets up an intriguing thread that will no doubt be pulled upon soon.